Portable jib crane

ABSTRACT

A support portion includes depending pins at the upper end thereof for fitting within a hole in a corner casting of an associated structure such as a container or the like. A locking bar and a spaced retainer member are carried at the lower part of the support portion and engage a corner post portion of the associated structure for holding the support portion in place. A load-carrying portion is swingably carried by said support portion, the load-carrying portion including a horizontally extending member having means at the outer end for carrying a load.

United States Patent [72] lnventor Richard T. Fujioka Oxford, Mich. [211 App]. No. 791,589 [22] Filed Jan. 16, 1969 [45] Patented May 11, 1971 [73] Assignee Fruehaui Corporation Detroit, Mich.

[541 PORTABLE JIB CRANE 10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 212/61, 2l2l65,214/75 [51] Int. Cl B66c 23/02 [50] Field of Search 212/28,41, 22, 8, 58, 59, 144,61,65;214/75 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,646,893 7/ 1953 Weatherford 212/61 3,143,216 8/1964 Brunkan 212/61 849.403 4/ l 907 Kiser 212/64 1,961,541 6/1934 Adams 212/58 2,292,353 8/1942 Ennis..... 214/75(H) 2,931,526 4/1960 Perry..... 214/75 2,940,621 6/1960 White 214/75 Primary Examinerl-larvey C. Homsby Attorney-lmirie, Smiley, Snyder & Butrum Patented May 11, 1 971" 3 Sheets-Sheet '1 lNVENT OR RICHARD T. FUJIOKA BY fly aw] ATTORNEY Patented I May 11, 1971 3,578,179

3 Sl'Leets-Sheet 2 Flaz ITO INVENTOR RICHARD T FUJIOKA ATTORNEY Patented May 11, 1971 5 Sheets-Sheet '5 INVENTOR RICHARD T. FUJIOKA ATTORNEY PORTABLE 1m CRANE BACKGROU ND OF THE INVENTION 7 The present invention relates to a crane mechanism which is adapted to be readily attached to and subsequently released from an associated structure to support loads which must be lifted and lowered, the crane also serving to swing such loads laterally into and out of the associated structure. The portable jib crane of the present invention is especially adapted for use with modular sealable shipping containers of the type now in common use for shipping goods on a vehicle frame, railway car or ship and the like. This type of container includes conventional corner castings having suitable holes therein to enable the container to be readily handled, comer post portions being provided at the openable end of the container. It is apparent that the crane of the present invention may equally as well be employed with a conventional trailer or similar structure having comer castings of the type employed with con- I tainers, and also including comer post portions at an end of the structure.

Cranes previously employed in the prior art in association with trailers and the like have incorporated rather complex structural arrangements, and in many cases the cranes comprise a permanent installation. This type of arrangement obviously would not be suitable for use with shipping containers and the like.

Cranes commonly employed for maneuvering loads into and out of shipping containers and the like do not incorporate means for readily attaching such cranes to a conventional container and subsequently enabling the crane to be readily detached with a minimum of time and effort. Accordingly, it is the principal objective of the present invention to provide a jib crane which can be effectively employed with conventional container structures as now employed in the art without requiring any modification of such structures in order to accommodate the crane.

It is apparent that in order for a jib crane to be readily attached and detached with respect to a container, it should be relatively compact and lightweight so that it is portable and may be handled by one man.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The portable jib crane of the present invention includes a support portion having means at the upper part thereof for cooperating with the corner casting of a conventional container, and also includes means at the lower part thereof adapted to engage opposite sides of the usual corner post portion of a container whereby the support portion can be mounted in operative position in a quick and efficient manner and will be positively retained in such position while in use.

The crane of the present invention also includes a load-carrying portion which is swingably carried by the support portion whereby a load supported by the load-carrying portion can be maneuvered into the desired position.

The present arrangement is relatively simple in construction and particularly suitable for ease of attachment to conventional shipping containers. The crane is readily portable since in a typical example the crane may weigh on the order of 62 pounds, whereby the average workman can mount and dismount the structure without any undue strain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a top perspective view of the rear portion of a container mounted on a flat bed trailer and illustrating the crane of the present invention in operative position thereon;

FIG. 2 is a rear view on an enlarged scale and partially broken away illustrating the crane shown in FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the crane structure shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially along line 5-5 of FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 6 is a top perspective of the anchor plate and locking bar of the support portion of the crane.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT several views, a conventional container indicated generally by reference numeral 10 is illustrated as being mounted upon a flat bed trailer 12. It should be understood that the jib crane of the present invention may also be employed with any structure such as a trailer body or the like having some sort of corner casting and an adjacent comer post portion whereby the portable jib crane can be mounted in operative position.

The container 10 includes a top wall 22 and a lower wall having a floor 22 thereon. A pair of sidewalls 24 and 26 are provided interconnecting the top and bottom walls of the container. As illustrated, the rear end of the container is shown, and a pair of upper comer castings 30 are provided at the upper comers of the rear portion of the container. A pair of lower comer castings 32 are provided at the lower corners of the rear portion of the container.

A pair of corner post portions 34 extend between the upper and lower comer castings and define the rear end of the container. This rear end of the container is provided with conventional doors 40 which are swingably supported by hinges 42 in the usual manner.

The portable jib crane of the present invention includes a support portion indicated generally by reference numeral 50 and is mounted in operative position adjacent one comer post portion, this support portion swingably supporting a load-carrying portion 52.

The details of construction of the jib crane are illustrated more clearly in FIGS. 2-6, and as seen particularly in FIG. 4, the support portion 50 includes at the upper part thereof a substantially Z-shaped plate including a vertically extending web portion 60 and an upper normally extending portion 62 and a lower oppositely normally extending portion 64, each of these laterally extending portions 62 and 64 being disposed generally horizontally when in operative position. A pair of substantially cylindrical pins 70 extend through suitable holes provided in portion 62 of the Z-shaped plate, and these pins are welded to portion 62 in the operative position illustrated. These pins are each cut away as indicated by reference numeral 72 so that they are adapted to fit within a hole 76 provided in the corner casting 30 as seen most clearly in FIG. 3 whereby the two pins will snugly fit within the hole and prevent relative movement of the support portion of the jib crane with vrespect to such corner casting. In the operative position as shown in FIG. 4, it will be noted that the web portion 60 of the plate lies fiat against the end surface of the comer casting 30.

As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, a substantially cylindrical hole 80 is provided through portion 64 of the Z-shaped plate, and a ball bearing 82 is supported on portion 64, the inner race of the ball bearing defining a hole substantially the same size and aligned with the hole 80. An annular member 84 is welded to the upper surface of portion 64 of the Z-shaped plate and snugly receives the ball bearing for holding the ball bearing in the position illustrated. A pair of diametrically opposite tabs 86 are secured as by welding to the outer surface of annular member 84, the upper parts of these tabs being bent over into the position illustrated in FIG. 3 to overlie the outer race of the bearing and hold same in operative position.

The support portion includes elongated vertically extending angle member 90 welded to portion 64 of the Z-shaped plate and depending therefrom. Angle member 90 includes leg portions 92 and 94 extending substantially normally to one another. A flat reinforcing plate 96 extends between the legs 92 and 94 and is welded thereto to rigidify the structure. The lower end of plate 96 is in turn secured to an anchor plate I00 which extends substantially normally to the elongated angle member 90 and plate 96.

It should be understood that all of the components of the jib crane may be formed of a suitable strong rigid material such as steel or the like, and the members are preferably welded together to provide a rigid structure.

As seen most clearly in FIG. 6, the anchor plate 100 has a hole I02 formed therethrough, and as shown most clearly in FIG. 2, this hole receives a suitable bearing I04 such as an oilite bronze bearing which has a force fit within this hole. The anchor plate also includes a laterally extending portion 106 of reduced dimension which has a locking bar 110 welded to the upper surface thereof and extending normally therefrom.

As seen in FIG. 5, locking bar I10 includes an outer end portion defining substantially flat surfaces I I2 and I14 which join with outwardly tapering surfaces 116 and 118. Surfaces 116 and 118 join with further tapered surfaces 120 and I22 respectively. Tapered surfaces 120 and 122 terminate at an end surface I24.

The outer end of the locking bar is particularly shaped to .cooperate with the comer post portion 34. This corner post portion includes spaced vertically extending ribs 130 and I32 defining a tapered cavity I36 therebetween. As seen in FIG. 5, when the support portion is in operative position, the outer end of the locking bar is adapted to fit snugly within the space defined between the two n'bs I30 and 132 so as to provide contact at the four points A, B, C and ,D as indicated in this FIG. The outer end of the locking bar is suitably ground or filed to provide the desired four-point contact.

As seen in FIG. 2, an additional plate 140 extends from the undersurface of anchor plate I to the bottom end of the angle member 92, this plate 140 being welded in place and extending between and secured to the two legs 92 and 94 of the angle member to serve to additionally rigidify the structure.

A generally cylindrical retainer member I44 is rigidly secured as by welding to the leg portion 92 of the angle member 90, this retainer member as seen in FIG. being adapted to engage the outer surface of the sidewall 24 and the comer post portion 34 thereby cooperating with the locking bar 110 to retain the bottom part of the support portion of the crane in proper relationship with respect to the associated container.

As seen in FIG. 5, the retainer member and the outer end of the locking bar are spaced laterally of one another. Additionally, as seen in FIG. 2, the retainer member is vertically spaced below the anchor plate 100 as well as the locking bar 104 supported thereby. It will also be noted as seen in FIG. 5 that the retainer member extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to that in which the locking bar IIO extends from the anchor plate 100.

As seen most clearly in FIG. 2, the load-carrying portion of the crane includes a vertically extending tubular member 150 and a horizontally extending member 152. This horizontally extending member 152 is a tubular member of rectangular cross section having suitable holes formed therethrough receiving vertical member I50. The inner end of horizontal member I52 is rigidly attached to vertical member I50 as by welding or the like. A pin I54 supported at the outer end of the horizontal member serves as a load-support member. A diagonally extending cross-brace member I56 has the upper end thereof rigidly attached to the undersurface of the horizontal member I52, the lower end I58 of the cross-brace member being flattened and rigidly attached to the vertical member 150.

The upper end of vertical member I50 extends through hole 80 in the portion 64 of the Z-shaped plate of the support portion and also extends through the inner race of ball bearing 82. An annular thrust collar I60 is disposed in surrounding relationship to the upper end of tubular member I50, and a conventional detent pin 162 is inserted through aligned holes provided in the thrust collar and the upper end of the vertical member for securing these two members together. The undersurface of the thrust collar rests on the inner race of the ball bearing 82 thereby supporting vertical member 150 for rotation with respect to the support portion of the crane.

The lower end 164 of vertical member I50 extends through the bearing I04 previously described, and a detent pin 166 similar to detent pin 162 extends through aligned holes provided in diametrically opposite portions of the vertical member.

As seen in FIG. 1, a conventional hoist I70 is provided with a hook member 172 which fits over the load-support pin at the outer end of the horizontal member of the load-carrying portion of the crane. A chain 174 is operatively associated with the hoist I70 and has a hook 176 at the lower end thereof. A cable or the like I78 is carried by hook I76 and is wrapped around a drum 180 which may be either loaded or unloaded with respect to the interior of the container wherein other drums 180 are illustrated as being in stowed position.

In order to mount the portable jib crane of the present invention in operative position relative to a container or the like, the lower part of the support portion of the crane is first tilted and then placed adjacent to the comer post portion of the container and swung into the operative relationship shown in FIG. 5, the relative dimensions and spacing of the locking bar and retainer member being such as to permit the components to be moved into the operative relationship shown in FIG. 5. After this relationship has been obtained, the upper part of the support portion is lowered so that the pins 70 enter into the hole in the associated comer casting, whereupon the support portion is securely and positively mounted with respect to the container and held in place relative thereto.

After the support portion has been secured in position, the load-carrying portion may be swung about the axis of vertical member which is mounted for rotation with respect to the support portion.

The jib crane can be subsequently readily removed from its operativeposition on the container by reversing the steps as set forth hereinabove for mounting the jib crane in operative position.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, and since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form their functional as well as conjointly cooperative equivalents are therefore intended to be embraced by those claims.

lclaim:

l. A portable jib crane comprising a support portion, means at the upper part of said support portion for interconnecting the support portion with a corner casting of an associated structure, means at the lower part of said support portion for interconnecting the support portion with the corner post portion of an associated structure to hold the support portion in place, said portable jib crane including a load-carrying portion carried by said support portion and movable with respect thereto, said means at the lower part of said support portion including a locking bar extending laterally of said support portion for fitting within an associated corner post portion, a retainer member carried by the lower part of said support portion and cooperating with said locking bar for holding said support portion in place with respect to an associated corner post portion.

2. A portable jib crane comprising a support portion, means at the upper part of said support portion for interconnecting the support portion with a comer casting of an associated structure, means at the lower part of said support portion for interconnecting the support portion with the corner post portion of an associated structure to hold the support portion in place, said portable jib crane including a load-carrying portion carried by said support portion and movable with respect thereto, said means at the lower part of said support portion including an anchor plate, said support portion including an elongated angle member, said anchor plate being secured to said angle member and extending substantially normally thereto, and bearing means supported by said anchor plate for journaling said load-carrying portion for movement with respect to said support portion.

3.'A portable jib crane comprising a support portion, means at theupper part of said support portion for interconnecting the Support portion with a comer casting of an'associated structure, means at the lower part of said support portion for interconnecting the support portion with the corner post portion of an associated structure to hold the support portion in place, said portable jib crane including a load-carrying portion carried by said support portion and movable with respect thereto, said means at the lower part of said support portion including an anchor plate, said support'portion including an of said support portion and spaced from said locking bar and cooperating-therewith for holding the support portion in place with respect to an associated comer post portion.

4. In combination, a structure includinga corner casting at an upper portion thereof, a cor'nerpost portion benca'th said comer casting and extending downwardly therefrom, said comer casting defining an upwardly facing opening, saidv comer post portion defining an elongated cavity therewithin, a portable jib crane comprising ,a support portion, depending means at the upper part of said support portion and extending comer .post portion including spaced portions for engaging op- 'posite sides of the associated corner post portion.

5. In combination, a structure including a comer casting at an upper portion thereof,'a comer post portion beneath said corner casting and extending downwardly therefrom, said comer casting defining an upwardly facing opening, said comer post portion defining an elongated cavity therewithin, a portable jib crane comprising a support portion, depending means at the upper part of said support portion and extending down into said opening for interconnecting the support portion with said comer casting, means at the lower part of said support portion extending laterally therefrom and fitting within said cavity for interconnecting the support portion with the comer post portion to hold the support portion in place, said portable jib crane including a loadcarrying portion carried by said support portion and movable-with'respect thereto, said means at the lower part of said support portion including down into said opening for interconnecting the support por- 1 tion with said corner casting, means at the lower part of said support portion extending laterally therefrom and fitting within said cavity for interconnecting the support portion with the corner post portion to hold the support portion in place, said portable jib crane including a load-carrying portion carried by said support portion and movable with respect thereto, said means for interconnecting the support portion with a an anchor plate, said support portion including an elongated angle member, said anchor plate being secured to said angle member and extending substantially normally thereto.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said retainer member is spaced laterally from said locking bar.

'7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said retainer member is also spaced vertically from said locking bar.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said retainer member is disposed below said locking bar.

9. Apparatus as defined in claiml, wherein said retainer member extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which said locking bar extends.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 including a locking bar secured to said anchor plate and extending laterally therefrom. 

1. A portable jib crane comprising a support portion, means at the upper part of said support portion for interconnecting the support portion with a corner casting of an associated structure, means at the lower part of said support portion for interconnecting the support portion with the corner post portion of an associated structure to hold the support portion in place, said portable jib crane including a load-carrying portion carried by said support portion and movable with respect thereto, said means at the lower part of said support portion including a locking bar extending laterally of said support portion for fitting within an associated corner post portion, a retainer member carried by the lower part of said support portion and cooperating with said locking bar for holding said support portion in place with respect to an associated corner post portion.
 2. A portable jib crane comprising a support portion, means at the upper part of said support portion for interconnecting the support portion with a corner casting of an associated structure, means at the lower part of said support portion for interconnecting the support portion with the corner post portion of an associated structure to hold the support portion in place, said portable jib crane including a load-carrying portion carried by said support portion and movable with respect thereto, said means at the lower part of said support portion including an anchor plate, said support portion including an elongated angle member, said anchor plate being secured to said angle member and extending substantially normally thereto, and bearing means supported by said anchor plate for journaling said load-carrying portion for movement with respect to said support portion.
 3. A portable jib crane comprising a support portion, means at the upper part of said support portion for interconnecting the support portion with a corner casting of an associated structure, means at the lower part of said support portion for interconnecting the support portion with the corner post portion of an associated structure to hold the support portion in place, said portable jib crane including a load-carrying portion carried by said support portion and movable with respect thereto, said means at the lower part of said support portion including an anchor plate, said support portion including an elongated angle member, said anchor plate being secured to said angle member and extending substantially normally thereto, a locking bar secured to said anchor plate and extending laterally therefrom for fitting within an associated corner post portion, and a retainer member carried by the lower part of said support portion and spaced from said locking bar and cooperating therewith for holding the support portion in place with respect to an associated corner post portion.
 4. In combination, a structure including a corner casting at an upper portion thereof, a corner post portion beneath said corner casting and extending downwardly therefrom, said corner casting defining an upwardly facing opening, said corner post portion defining an elongated cavity therewithin, a portable jib crane comprising a support portion, depending means at the upper part of said support portion and extending down into said opening for interconnecting the support portion with said corner casting, means at the lower part of said support portion extending laterally therefrom and fitting within said cavity for interconnecting the support portion with the corner post portion to hold the support portion in place, said portable jib crane including a load-carrying portion carried by said support portion and movable with respect thereto, said means for interconnecting the support portion with a corner post portion including spaced portions for engaging opposite sides of the associated corner post portion.
 5. In combination, a structure including a corner casting at an upper portion thereof, a corner post portion beneath said corner casting and extending downwardly therefrom, said corner casting defining an upwardly facing opening, said corner post portion defining an elongated cavity therewithin, a portable jib Crane comprising a support portion, depending means at the upper part of said support portion and extending down into said opening for interconnecting the support portion with said corner casting, means at the lower part of said support portion extending laterally therefrom and fitting within said cavity for interconnecting the support portion with the corner post portion to hold the support portion in place, said portable jib crane including a load-carrying portion carried by said support portion and movable with respect thereto, said means at the lower part of said support portion including an anchor plate, said support portion including an elongated angle member, said anchor plate being secured to said angle member and extending substantially normally thereto.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said retainer member is spaced laterally from said locking bar.
 7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said retainer member is also spaced vertically from said locking bar.
 8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said retainer member is disposed below said locking bar.
 9. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said retainer member extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which said locking bar extends.
 10. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 including a locking bar secured to said anchor plate and extending laterally therefrom. 